Tag Archives: birthday

Happy 26th birthday, Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs! Released in 1992, Psalm 69 is (arguably) Ministry’s most critically acclaimed album, though by no means my favorite, or even in the running for the top three… buy ANYWAY, happy birthday!

Five years ago today I started an asinine, little daily tradition focusing, let’s say, “inwardly” on my ever-growing collection, and 1828 posts later, I’m no smarter than when I began. I mean, let’s be honest here. I’m not saving lives (nor do I really want to), but that certainly is not to say that these past 1828 days 1) haven’t been worth it, 2) haven’t allowed me the opportunity to discover a plethora of adventurous new records to spin, and 3) the ability to rethink all the minute elements that make a “record collection.” Thank you for taking the time to assist me in rediscovering my collection, be it through 8-Tracks, Inserts, the short-lived Audio Odyssey (man, was THAT a mistake), and of course, the always-growing Colored Vinyl category. Cheers to you and your subtle enjoyment of analog entertainment. Happy 5th birthday, Prudent Groove!

Well, four years ago today we dropped the needle on a cryptic and probing experiment called The Prudent Groove. This daily chore of unknown ends (and plagued beginnings) has forced us (me) to peer into the ceaseless collection with a slightly skewed and exotic perspective. (A perspective found primarily at the bottom of empty bourbon glasses and disorganized half-thoughts.) Evolution, in its lazy way, has certainly taken its form here at The Prudent Groove, but we are no closer to any conceivable goal than we were the day before we began, which, today, would be exactly four years and one day ago.

This process has been monumentally rewarding (on a personal level), and I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with patient, like-minded groove-hunters along the way (all who are much smarter, and more knowledgeable than me).

From the casual passersby to the daily squatters, thank you for allowing us to waste your time. Happy 4th birthday, Prudent Groove!

Special thanks to Old Man Hardwick for the photo art and early birthday wishes.

The perfectly wrapped mystery gift sits on display for a few additional days. Its impeccable wrapping, a work of art in and of itself, is both a thoughtful gesture, and a display-worthy presentation. Thank you, mystery gift givers!

So, we’re three today. As we celebrate in our own way, let’s fill the streets with dancing, or as Benson would say, The Streets are Filled with Dancing. 1096 consecutive days and this is where we land. Not bad, for a toddler. Happy birthday, Prudent Groove.

Chosen as more of a symbol than a Saturday listen, this diverse compilation, in a way, represents the eclectic nature of the Prudent Groove which, today, turned two years old.

Happy 2nd birthday, Prudent Groove! You weren’t expected to survive, and there were several days when you narrowly escaped angry extinction. Thanks to everyone who stopped by for a photo for their iTunes metadata, left a comment, or got a chuckle out of this nonsense. 730 days is a hell-of-a long time, and 730 posts is exactly 730 too many. Thanks for stopping by!

Happy birthday to my favorite person in the entire world! I have her to thank, from the bottom of my vinyl-obsessed heart, for her consistently thoughtful demeanor, her exceptional inner and outer beauty, for her patience, her understanding, her delicious cooking experiments, for her laughs, for her goofy tendencies, which bring out my goofy tendencies, for her welcoming family, and for putting up with me.

365 days ago The Prudent Groove set out on her (lethargic, nonsensical, unfocused) maiden voyage in the attempt to offer little more than a self-improving, daily exploration into the cold, solemn depths of my record collection. That was her initial objective. What she inevitably turned into was a time-sucking, ulcer-feeding, stress-fueled fireball licking the backs of my heels as I embarked on a full, creative sprint every day for the past year. Fireballs may be good motivators, but they’re still giant balls of death. Thankfully, I was able to stay one prudent stride ahead of what seemed like inevitable, groovy doom.

Seriously though, thank you for allowing me to waste your time. I’ve had an exceptionally rewarding year, and I appreciate every last set of eyeballs. I’ve met some incredible listening companions (all of whom are much smarter, and more musically knowledgeable than I), and I look forward to another fruitful year of sensational ear candy.

She’s known for an uncounted amount of selfless, kind gestures, for possessing an incredibly energetic personality, and for being unbelievably thoughtful. But above all else, she’s known for the a little jig we call, the Betsi Two-Step.

Play a song… any song… and if there’s a backbeat, you can bet your pulled-pork sandwich that the Betsi Two-Step will be out in full force. For the few of you who aren’t in the know, the Betsi Two-Step is a rhythmic groove-dance that crosses the Riverdance with the Electric Boogaloo, but with excessive grace and charm (complete with an atmosphere of uncontrollable merriment and boisterous laughter). You know, that when the Betsi Two-Step makes its appearance, you’re at exactly the right place at exactly the right time.

I’ve tried the Betsi Two-Step, and failed… miserably. It’s an art form not unlike poetry, stained-glass murals, and/or the delicacies of a delicious seven-course meal. It’s certainly a sight to behold, and is as contagious as the Bubonic Plague, but you know, in that insanely wonderful way.

The Betsi Two-Step is often imitated, but very seldom is the proper justice served. Many things are best left to the masters… and the Betsi Two-Step is positively no exception.

Happy birthday, Mom! Thank you for all your continued support, for your enormous heart, for your infectious laugh, for your open arms, and for creating a little rhythmic hustle that we’ll never forget! Now, let’s start the music and get this party started!

I was a needle-nosed 12-year-old when I endured my first, of many, very important lessons in the ways of essential music listening. That topic… The Beatles. The coach… my father.

Back when my only CDs were Gonna Make You Sweat by C+C Music Factory and Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em by the illustrious MC Hammer, you can imagine my childish shock upon hearing Maxwell’s Silver Hammer and Polythene Pam for the first time, let alone I Want You (She’s So Heavy). It was the summer of 1992, and all I listened to, all summer, was 1969’s Abbey Road. It was a stern suggestion from my father, and was a crucial, and unforgettable introduction to the boundless universe of planet Beatle.

Needless to say, that summer changed my life. I hit the Beatles accelerator (on my VW Bug… sorry, had to) and have yet to look back.

Thanks for the scholarly advice, dad, and for opening the door to a lifetime of euphoric, and essential music. Happy birthday, Big Guy!

Broadcasting self proclaimed, “Beautiful Music,” KPOL, “Los Angeles’ first easy-listening music station,” unleashed 21 alluring tracks, which were all “superbly performed by 101 Strings” in celebration for their 20th anniversary-birthday-ceremony-festival-type thing.

I don’t know what’s worse, that this is considered “Beautiful Music,” or that someone actually bought this deluxe 2 record set. (Looks into mirror and notices his unabated shame.) It certainly isn’t “Grotesque Music,” or even “Homely Music” for that matter, it’s just that when I think of the word “beautiful,” 101 strings does not come to mind. (I’m instantly reminded of a certain Twilight Zone episode with the applicable title, The Eye of the Beholder.)

On a serious note, it’s a bit sad to see the excitement and enthusiasm displayed by this proud and noble radio station, given the chilling fact that they would forever close their doors just nine short years after this celebratory album was released.